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Poster for Island in the Sky

Island in the Sky

Seen it?

1953 | 109 min | Adventure, Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for adventure fans. If you loved The Road or Mad Max: Fury Road, start here.
The mood
Exciting.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 49 min.
What might put you off
Made in 1953: an older pace and style.

A C-47 transport plane, named the Corsair, makes a forced landing in the frozen wastelands of Labrador, and the plane's pilot, Captain Dooley, must keep his men alive in deadly conditions while awaiting rescue.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    86% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 20K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by William A. Wellman

  • John WayneCaptain Dooley
  • Lloyd NolanCaptain Stutz
  • Walter AbelCol. Fuller
  • James ArnessMac McMullen
  • Andy DevineWillie Moon
  • Allyn JoslynJ.H. Handy
  • Jimmy LydonMurray, Dooley's navigator
  • Harry Carey Jr.Ralph Hunt, Moon's co-pilot
  • Hal BaylorStankowski, Dooley's engineer
  • Sean McCloryFrank Lovatt, Dooley's co-pilot